Architectural Representation as a Body without Organs

Abstract

Architectural representation plays a critical role as a creative tool, facilitating dialogue and mediation between designer and design. While traditionally viewed as an objective entity, it holds potential for creative expression. Architectural representation is traditionally associated with objectivity and aesthetic beauty. However, as a design tool, it should also embrace subjectivity. Subjectivity in architectural representation goes beyond the architect’s style or drawings, encompassing the presence of the subject within the representation. At this stage, architectural representation becomes related to bodily experience and every experience has its own deformations. The presence of bodily deformations in architectural representations transforms its rigid body into a body without organs. This “new” body may be defined as “beast” rather than “beauty.” In this chapter, I would like to discuss architectural representation as a body without organs to highlight its emancipatory and participatory characteristics that may trigger creativity within the context of analogue and digital worlds. I would also like to emphasize the relationship between beauty and monstrosity that a bodily deformed architectural representation may create and start a new discussion on the aesthetics of architectural representation. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Chara Kokkiou and Angeliki Malakasioti; individual chapters, the contributors.